Week in Review

May 31, 2013Here is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on events at City Hall.

Stage 3 Water Restrictions in Effect June 1
The City of Richardson will implement its Stage 3 water restriction measures beginning Saturday, June 1. The implementation of Stage 3 comes at the request of the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) which is facing critical shortages in its water supply. Although the region has recently received rain, area lakes are still well below capacity and NTMWD is unable to use water from Lake Texoma because of the infestation of zebra mussels.

Stage 3 water restrictions allow for lawn irrigation once a week. The City’s schedule permits residents at addresses ending in an even number to water on Saturdays, and residents at addresses ending in an odd number may water on Sundays. No lawn watering is permitted between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. or during periods of precipitation.

Within the Stage 3 water management strategies, Richardson must take action to reduce water consumption by 10 percent. For more information and tips on water conservation, visit the City’s Water Conservation website available on the City’s homepage at www.cor.net.

Heights Recreation Center Opens, “Rocket” Art Piece Unveiled
Heights Recreation Center celebrated the grand opening of its new building Tuesday with a ribbon cutting and dedication of the “Rocket” sculpture. The event included self-guided tours of the facility, refreshments and remarks from City officials, the building’s architect and artist who designed the sculpture.Pictured left to right: Council Member Kendal Hartley, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Townsend, Council Member Mark Solomon, Mayor Laura Maczka, Council Member Steve Mitchell and Council Member Scott Dunn.

"Rocket"

The 25,000-square-foot building provides more space for the classes and programs offered in the old location and features a regulation-sized basketball court, dedicated game room, updated locker rooms and much more. It opened to the public immediately following the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The new Family Aquatic Center, which is set to open this summer and located next door to the recreation center, will include modern aquatics amenities such as a zero-entry pool with splash playground, current channel, vortex pool, instructional water, lap swim, play features for a variety of ages, a double flume slide and shade structures.
Both facilities are funded through the 2010 Bond Program and are designed to fit with the surrounding neighborhoods’ midcentury modern architecture. The new rec center is designed to be certified as LEED silver.

Chinese Delegation Visits Richardson
A delegation from the Chinese city of Xinxiang visited Richardson City Hall on Tuesday to meet City Council Members, discuss partnership opportunities and learn about how the City operates. The delegation included the mayor of Xinxiang, businessmen, members of the Xinxiang Chamber of Commerce and others.

The visitors used an interpreter to share information about Xinxiang, a city of 5.7 million people in Henan province. They watched a video from the Mayor’s Office of International Business about Richardson that had been translated into Chinese. Members of the delegation exchanged gifts with the City Council before taking a tour of City Hall and the Civic Center.

The delegation will visit several cities in the U.S. and Canada on their 10-day trip.

Speed Cushions Installed on Dumont Drive
Speed cushions were installed this week on Dumont Drive between Floyd Road and Weatherred Drive through the City’s Traffic Calming Program. After 60 days, the City will poll residents in the area on whether or not to leave the cushions in place. A final determination will be made after the City studies their effectiveness and impact in the area.

The City installed the cushions at the request of residents and after completing a study that determined they could be useful in reducing vehicle speeds in the area. Learn more about the City’s Traffic Calming Program at http://bit.ly/1aJ21mM or by calling 972-744-4320.

MRMC Topping Out Ceremony Celebrates Construction Milestone
Construction crews placed the final support beam in place on the Methodist Richardson Medical Center expansion Thursday as a crowd of employees, hospital supporters and local officials watched from a Topping Out Ceremony next door. The event included speakers, refreshments and a celebration of a major milestone in construction of the building, which is expected to open in June 2014.

The $120 million expansion will add a 125-bed acute care hospital at the MRMC’s Bush/Renner location. It will include a women’s pavilion, level III neonatal intensive care unit, advanced cardiac care, radiology and more. The expansion is expected to create about 100 new jobs and employ nearly 900 professionals.

Upon completion of the new hospital in 2014, plans for the Methodist Richardson Campbell campus call for continued use of the physician pavilion, a full-service emergency department, and ancillary services such as lab and radiology. Added services will include expansion of the behavioral health unit to include geriatric behavioral health, inpatient rehabilitation and long-term acute care.

Early Voting Begins Monday for RISD School Board Runoff Election
Early voting begins Monday for the Richardson ISD Board of Trustees runoff election between Lanet Greenhaw and Rachel Chumney. Voters may cast an early ballot at the Richardson City Hall/Civic Center, 411 W. Arapaho Rd., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 3 through June 8, 1 to 6 p.m. June 9 and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 10 and 11.

Runoff Election Day polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 15. City Hall will not be an Election Day voting location. View a list of Election Day polling locations at http://bit.ly/18s4GEB.

Splash Day is Saturday
The Glenville, Canyon Creek, Terrace and Cottonwood pools will open for the summer season on Splash Day, scheduled for Saturday, June 1. That day, admission will be free from 1 to 8 p.m.
The Parks and Recreation Department will offer free swim lessons from 9 a.m. to noon at Glenville Pool, 500 S. Glenville Dr., on Splash Day. Register for a free lesson by calling 972-744-7881.

Dance Groups to Perform at Eisemann Center Several dance groups will perform at this Eisemann Center this week. Texas Ballet Theater will present its Main Spring Performance at 8 p.m. tonight. Tickets cost $10 to $15. Learn more about the theater at www.texasballettheater.org.

Chamberlain Performing Arts and the Andrea-Mennen Family Foundation will present the Community Connections Outreach Performance at 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $5. For more information, visit www.chamberlainperformingarts.com.

Transit Agencies Urge Commuters to “Dump the Pump” in June
DART is joining The T in Fort Worth and the Denton County Transportation Authority to offer a week of free transportation in exchange for a gasoline receipt as part of the 2013 National Dump the Pump Day on June 20. The weekly regional transit pass will be valid from June 16 to 22 on any DART, The T or DCTA fixed route bus and rail service.

Commuters may trade a gasoline receipt for a weekly transit pass beginning June 3 at a variety of locations across the Metroplex. The program is designed to help drivers compare the costs of commuting by car compared to using public transportation.
See a complete list of ticket exchange dates and locations at www.dart.org/dumpthepump.

YMCA to Celebrate 50 Years with Tree Planting, Free Picnic
The Richardson Family YMCA will celebrate its 50th anniversary from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday with a picnic that is open to the public. The event will include bounce houses, games for kids, refreshments and swimming. Register to attend at www.conta.cc/135o7yx.
The YMCA is also commemorating 50 years in Richardson with a ceremonial tree planting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Y. Individuals and companies may pay $500 to sponsor a tree to provide shade on the property, which is at 821 Custer Rd. Sponsors will be acknowledged in a special display inside the building. Another Richardson YMCA 50th year celebration will be held Oct. 3.

Animal Shelter Adoptathon Set for Saturday
The Richardson Animal Shelter and Richardson AnimaLuv will host an Adoptathon from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Several local rescue groups and vendors will be at the shelter during the event, which will also include hot dogs, $15 microchipping and $10 adoptions (restrictions apply).
For more information, contact the Animal Shelter at 972-744-4480. The shelter is at 1330 Columbia Dr.

Richardson Animal Shelter Pet of the Week
Buppo is a male lab mix about 5 years old. He is current on all vaccinations, loves to go for walks and would do best in a home with large backyard and older children. He gets along with some dogs.